This past year was full of exciting news for both Daseke Inc. and all of the companies in the Daseke family. 2017 got off to an incredible start with Daseke going public, which led to the implementation of the Employee Stock Program as well as many new companies joining the Daseke family. Over the following months, several of our operating companies received prestigious awards, and we continued to lead the industry with our collective dedication to safety and quality work.
Before the next stage of our journey takes us much further into 2018, let’s take a look back at some of 2017’s many highlights.
“Dallas Business Journal”: Fast-Growing Addison Trucking Company’s Next Stop: Wall Street
The “Dallas Business Journal” interviewed Don Daseke, President & CEO, and Scott Wheeler, CFO, about Daseke becoming a public company and that decision’s impact on the company’s future.
Boyd Bros. Transportation Celebrates 60 Years of Business
Boyd Bros. Transportation started as a family company in 1956. In 2017, they celebrated 60 years of service! Boyd Bros. Transportation is still run by the Boyd family to this day, and their family values have been key to the company’s success over the years.
Smokey Point Distributing’s New Terminal Turns Heads
Based in Arlington, Washington, Smokey Point Distributing completed a brand new home terminal in 2017. Not only is the facility an upgrade compared to the previous terminal, but it has also been designed to be a place that drivers and employees can enjoy.
Daseke, Inc. and Hennessy Capital Acquisition Corp. II Announce Closing of Merger Transaction
In February, Daseke, Inc. officially closed under Nasdaq and became a public company! Don Daseke’s vision for becoming a public company was fulfilled, and Daseke now has the opportunity to grow by following a focused consolidation strategy.
Daseke’s Nasdaq DSKE Bell Ringing Celebration!
The Daseke team, the board of directors, top executives and representatives from the Daseke family of companies, and other valuable partners gathered in New York City to celebrate going public and attend the Nasdaq Market Bell Ceremonies.
Best Fleets to Drive For 2017: COTC and SPD Bring Home Honors
Central Oregon Truck Company and Smokey Point Distributing were both honored for their outstanding work environment with 2017 Best Fleets to Drive For awards.
Bulldog Hiway Express Driver Demonstrates Less is More – 88 Pounds Less To Be Exact!
James Houston, a driver for Bulldog Hiway Express, dedicated himself to living a healthier life. His successful weight loss journey led to him winning the Driven to Be Healthy Challenge at the Great American Trucking Show.
Two Leading Open Deck Transportation Companies Merge with Daseke
Daseke announced that The Schilli Companies, based in Indiana, and Big Freight Systems, based in Winnipeg, Manitoba, were joining the Daseke family of companies.
Schilli Transportation Services Brings a Suite of Industrial Solutions as they Join Daseke
The Schilli Companies provide total transportation solutions nationwide. Schilli Transportation Services, Schilli Specialized and Schilli Distribution provide warehousing and logistics across the Eastern United States.
Big Freight Systems Joins Daseke as the First Canadian Company
Big Freight Systems is the first company in the Daseke family to be headquartered in Canada. In addition to winning many safety awards, Big Freight Systems has also won Shipper’s Choice and Carrier Choice awards.
Daseke Family of Companies’ Commitment to Safety Pays Off in Thirteen Awards
Collectively, Smokey Point Distributing, J. Grady Randolph, Bulldog Hiway Express and Big Freight Systems received 13 individual safety awards in 2017! Both the Truckload Carriers Association and the National Fleet Safety Awards recognized these companies for their excellent safety records.
Daseke Announces Stock Plan for Truck Drivers
One of Don Daseke’s goals for becoming a public company was to provide employees with a stock program to reward them for all of their hard work. The program was announced in May and is the first of its kind in the industry.
The Steelman Companies Join Daseke
The Steelman Companies, consisting of Steelman Transportation and Group One, Inc., are based in the Midwest and have been operating for 26 years carrying flatbed freight, heavy haul freight, powersports and more.
J. Grady Randolph: Prospering as a Company and Benefiting the Industry
Mark Randolph, President of J. Grady Randolph, was honored for his work in the trucking industry by receiving the prestigious Trucking Leadership Award from the South Carolina Trucking Association.
“Transport Topics” ranked Daseke No. 1 in the Flatbed and Heavy Specialized Truck Loads sector, No. 2 by revenue in the same sector and No. 44 overall in their latest Top 100 For-Hire Carrier List.
Daseke Adds Defense Specialization with R&R Trucking Addition
R&R Trucking, a leading transporter of defense and commercial AA&E cargo, joined the Daseke family of companies in September. R&R Trucking is a highly specialized company and is one of the few companies authorized to transport cargo for the U.S. Department of Defense and the Department of Energy.
Steelman Transportation Shows Some Love
Brett Sheets, Chief Operating Officer at Steelman Transportation, has started a new tradition that allows him to give back to others. For the second time, he donated his hair to Locks of Love to provide hairpieces to children in need.
Two Years Running: Daseke the Top Flatbed/Specialized Carrier in “CCJ”’s Top 250
Every year, “Commercial Carrier Journal” creates their Top 250 list. Last year, they ranked Daseke No. 1 in the Flatbed/Specialized/Heavy Haul segment. Daseke was also ranked No. 37 in the Overall category.
Today’s Trucking – Canada – Daseke Buying Not For Sale Companies
“Today’s Trucking” in Canada wrote a story about Big Freight Systems joining the Daseke family of companies and how Daseke’s philosophy aligns with CEO Gary Coleman’s long-term plan.
Moore Freight Service Brings Its Premier Glass Hauling Company to Daseke
Moore Freight Service, Inc. specializes in flat glass transportation, which requires drivers to be highly skilled and familiar with very specialized equipment. Not only does Moore sport flatbed, specialized van, single and double drop deck trailers, but they’ve also earned a stellar reputation within the flat glass supply chain!
The Roadmaster Group: Dramatic Growth In the World of High-Security Cargo
The Roadmaster Group specializes in the high-security market and has a fleet of vans, flatbeds, Conestoga trailers and Dromedary Trains to haul sensitive material throughout the Tri-State area and within their specialized division.
TSH & Co. — Homegrown to Become a Dominant Player in Steel Hauling
TSH & Co., which includes Tennessee Steel Haulers, Alabama Carriers and Fleet Movers, is one of the largest flatbed haulers in the region! Specializing in metals, machinery and industrial products, TSH & Co. has a great reputation in both national and international markets.
Don Daseke, the President & CEO of Daseke, Inc., was named the recipient of the 2018 Horatio Alger Award! Previous award-winners include U.S. Presidents Eisenhower, Ford and Reagan, as well as Oprah Winfrey, Ross Perot and Buzz Aldrin.
“D Magazine”: The Accidental Trucker
Don Daseke didn’t always work in the trucking business, so he considers himself an “accidental trucker.” Since 2009, Daseke Inc. has been growing to consolidate the flatbed and specialized market and recruit the best drivers in North America.
Red Coleman, the founder of Big Freight Systems, is known for his service both to his own company and to the trucking industry as a whole. This year, the Manitoba Trucking Association renamed the Service to Industry award in his honor to recognize his dedication and many accomplishments.
Wreaths Across America is an organization dedicated to honoring our country’s veterans. In 2017, drivers from Boyd Bros. Transportation, Smokey Point Distributing, Central Oregon Truck Company, J. Grady Randolph and Lone Star Transportation helped to pick up and transport wreaths to their respective cemeteries.
